forays into art, culture, and the kitchen

Tag Archives: orchard

My college roomies and I reunited for our annual Columbus Day weekend adventure. This year, we went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, home of the roommate I had all four years of college. This occurred during Grand Rapids’s famous Art Prize, so we, of course, ventured into the delightful downtown. We had gorgeous weather, art was everywhere we turned, and downtown Grand Rapids has many wonderful dining options and coffeehouses.

Here are my girls on a rooftop, where an interesting exhibit commented on America and war.

This wall reflected light and dazzling color. Upon closer inspection, it was all made of plastic bottles!

I am always drawn to water for the peace it brings me, so I was naturally interested in pieces that evoked water. Below is a graphite pencil drawing. Please excuse the poor image quality, but consider the fact that someone has captured a substance that constantly ebbs and flows with a mere pencil.

Beyond Art Prize, we enjoyed great food and a beer fest at Founders during their Oktoberfest bash. I am completely ashamed because we went to this amazing coffeehouse and I cannot remember its name. All I can tell you is they handcraft each cup of coffee, and my life-changing cup was black with honey. HONEY. I had never tried this before, and I cannot tell you how much I loved the combination. Also, this coffehouse was super busy, so they apparently have a reputation for well-crafted hot drinks. We also spent some quality time at Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery, enjoying an autumn lunch, cider, fresh, hot donuts, and, for a couple of us, the wine-tasting room. Our weekends are never super expensive or fancy, which is proof that with some research and know-how, you can have a great mini-vacation anywhere you go.

There is a family in Michigan with an apple orchard. Within this orchard, they also keep bees. These bees produce this beautifully pure, golden honey that tastes unlike any other honey. Because I work with a member of this family of apple-growers and bee keepers, I am fortunate enough to receive jars of this liquid gold. And I put it on everything I can.